Choir students at Sacred Hearts Academy have been getting ready for their fall concert next month. But what better way to master a song than to work with the composer himself.

Erik Whitehill, an elementary choir teacher and composer from Arizona, visited the Academy earlier this month to help the eighth grade intermediate choir students with their number, “Step By Step.”

“I had a wonderful day working with the choirs at Sacred Hearts,” Whitehill said. “There is a great atmosphere of ‘family’ that is very appealing.”

Whitehill has been writing and arranging music for more than 20 years. Prior to teaching, he was a full-time church musician and guitar teacher. He is also a longtime friend and colleague of choir teacher Zachary Moore.

“The singers have obviously come a long way with Mr. Moore, and it was fun to see the fruits of that labor,” he said. “The students were so welcoming and willing to work. It was a real joy.”

Whitehill assisted students with various musical concepts, such as phrasing, dynamics and articulation. Students from the Concert and Select Choirs were also able to work with the composer.

The songs students practiced with Whitehill will be performed at the fall choir concert on Nov. 22.